Various Risk Factors for Breast Cancer, Women Should Know – All Pages

GridHEALTH.id – Breast cancer It is a type of cancer that starts in the breast.

Cancer cells in these parts of the body are very active, so they grow out of control.

This condition is generally characterized by a lump in the breast that can be felt directly by a woman.

In addition, there are also other symptoms that are a sign of possible suffering breast cancer such as nipples that go in, breast skin that looks like orange peel, and others.

Also Read: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Beware of Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Fast Growing Aggressive Type

But keep in mind, lumps in the breast are mostly benign tumors and not cancer.

In addition, nipples that enter can also be an anatomical abnormality and not a symptom of breast cancer. So further investigation is needed to confirm this.

Also Read: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Need for Screening

Until now, it is not known exactly what causes breast cancer.

However, there are several factors that increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Surgical Oncology Specialist from Brawijaya Hospital Antasari Jakarta, Dr. Arief Wibisono, Sp.B(K) Onk, in a special coverage of GridHEALTH, Saturday (12/11/2021), said the risk factors for breast cancer are divided into two groups, which can be changed and cannot be changed.

The risk factors for breast cancer that cannot be changed are as follows:

1. Age

As a woman ages, she is more at risk of developing cancer.

This is due to the influence of cell changes in the body of an aging woman.

2. Genetics

Having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, has a high risk of experiencing the same condition.

For this reason, BRACA 1 and 2 gene examinations can be carried out, after undergoing screening and found to have a high risk of breast cancer.

“We first trace the examination, generally with a family history. ‘Oh, her grandmother has cancer, either from the mother’s side or the father’s side. Maybe her mother has cancer or her sister’s womb, also breast cancer’, that’s a high risk. Genetic testing, maybe positive (there is a mutation in the BRACA 1 or 2 gene,” said doctor Arief.

Also Read: Breast Cancer in Men, Symptoms and These are the Most At Risk

3. Gender

Although men can develop breast cancer, the risk is greater for women.

“A woman is at risk of breast cancer, compared to a man. But there is also breast cancer in men, but 1%-5% on average,” said doctor Arief.

4. First menstruation

If it occurs sooner, then a woman is at high risk of developing breast cancer.

“If your period is less than 12 years old, it is a high risk factor for breast cancer in the future. Ages 30, 40, and 50 years,” he said.

5. Late menopause

Doctor Arief also said, women whose menopause is late or occurs over the age of 55 years.

The relationship between late menopause and early menstruation with breast cancer is closely related to the production of estrogen by the ovaries.

High levels of estrogen in the body for a long time, can trigger cancer cells to develop.

As for the modifiable risk factors, including women who do not have children, do not breastfeed, the effect of hormone therapy, and high-fat foods.

1. Have no children

“If a woman does not have children, it increases the risk of breast cancer. (This is) if you are pregnant but never become a complete pregnancy or give birth, do not have children, the risk of breast cancer can be more than 1.4 times the term,” said doctor Arief.

Meanwhile, for mothers who have given birth to their children, the risk factors for breast cancer are reduced.

2. Giving birth over 35 years

A mother who becomes pregnant or gives birth when she is over 35 years old is also at greater risk for developing breast cancer later in life.

Also Read: 5 Ways to Maintain Breast Health to Avoid Cancer

3. Not breastfeeding

Many attribute this condition to childlessness.

But keep in mind, that the length of time for a mother to breastfeed is also relative, some are only 3 months or 6 months, some are up to 2 years of age.

“In general, not breastfeeding increases breast cancer. But not higher than those who do not have children,” he explained.

4. Hormone therapy

Hormone replacement therapy, which is usually done by a number of women who have gone through menopause, performs therapy to reduce the effects of menopause. However, this is risky breast cancer at a later date.

5. Consumption of high-fat foods

Risk factors breast cancer What can be changed is to eat high-fat foods.

These types of food such as packaged food or canned food.

“What is better (food that) is cooked directly, then served. If the food is manufactured, packaged, from the data it increases the risk of cancer. High in fat, data also show an increased (risk) breast cancer,” concluded the doctor Arief.